Traveling wave vapor-electric current generator



May 15, 1951 A. v. LOUGHREN 2,553,263

TRAVELING WAVE VAPOR-ELECTRIC CURRENT GENERATOR Filed oct. 4, 194e F|G.| lI I I l I I l I I l lo n l2 I3 n4 15 le I7 le |9 f x4 6o 62 e3 e 55 es e7 se se Current Currem Volts O O A m FIG. 3

Current Current o Vo |ts\ Current Current O E 33 3,4 35 3,6 37 3e 3,9 4p a2 ULLLFL L/llj- 87 INVENToR.

ARTHUR v. LouGHREN ATTO Patented May 15, 195,1

UN liTED 4SIAfIE'S TRAVELING WAVE VAPGR-EELECTR-IC CURRENT GENERATOR poration of 'Illinois -Application .Octohen.4, 194 6,-.-Ser1'al-No; 101,186

9Claims. (Cl. Z50-F275) .This invention isdi-rected toarrangements zfor generating a .-traveling.wave. of vapor-electric discharge current. `The. expression 4vapor-.electric discharge. current, .as 4`used throughout this specication, is intended `,to denethe type .of current producedin a vapor-electric or gaseousdischarge tube during operating intervals in which such .a ,tube is broken 4downor. rendered conductive. In, `ther most .familiar gaseous-discharge circuits, thegas of thev tube producesv a Visible discharge-.which .Tiszconveniently lreferred to as.v a glow discharge. .The arrangements to..be described-.hereinafter will vusually have .this characteristic.

. .A .generator of the itype -under .consideration mayo-be employed-in a .-variety of installations. For example, its use as. al scanning device in applicantsv novel-,television receiving Isystem lis disclosed inV detail inapplication Serial No. 120,405, led October .8, 1949, asl acontinuation cfapplication. Serial No. '7,0.1,188,-1ed .concurrently 1herewith .butfnow abandoned. .The .generator is likewise .eslaiecially suited for application tofcomm-utating:systemsand will beparticularly .described inthat connection.

Commutators, .as..suc,h, have long `.been known toftheart and :may take..any..of-.a varietyof forms. One..fami1iar-.type features a-rotating element to 'commutate-,between cooperating. eleinentsspaced aboutitsaXis-.of rotation. While that deviceis.. satisfactoryV for kcertain services, there.v .is a practical. limit..to.-:the, maximum y:commutating frequency andv this.. limitation mayv be lundesirable infsomecases. Electronic commutators,. including fa `series of -cascaded Vacuum: or gas tubes, `havewalso fbeenproposed, butathey usuallyinvolve fairlywcomplex circuit .connections which .may. sometimes be objectionable.

It isanobject ofthe -present invention, therefore,Y to provide .a Vtraveling-wave ,current generator which maybe .employed-.as a commutating` device. and which-avoids one or more of the aforementioned 'limitations `of the prior devices referred to .hereinbefore =It ,is vanother .obj ect.- .of the invention to provide animproved and novel ,arrangement for Lgenerating a traveling .wave of, vapor-.electric .fdis- ,charge current.

AIt is the specific: object of v.the-.invention to-.pro-

videa novel. arrangementsof` simpliedand -inexpensive .construction for generating atraveling wave .of vapor-electric discharge current.

In accordancecwith l.the ,present invention, .an arrangementfor generatingy a; .traveling.-.Wave.of vapor-electric. Ydischarge current. comprises,- I.en-

ergy-storage, meanshaving a plurality of; ,energystorage .por.tions;-.to-:he. ohargedgfrom, a. potential source. The arrangement; also v.includes vaporelectric discharge.:.meansy for discharging the aforesaid.. portions and, including anode means comprising..aicorreSDOnding Yplurality vof anode portions .spaced along aa @predetermined vroute and including;cathodeimeans lprovidinga like plurality. .of .cathodefportions.spaced from. .and defining withv Lthosefranode portions V; a like Y plurality oi spaced-.electrodesystems constituting Vapor-discharge ,maths .extending -,-:across ,the aforesaid route. l'I-heiarrangement `furtherancludes means for initiating-a.-,vapor-electric discharge .in one ,of thelelectrode-fsystems to `dischargethe; associatednone lof vthefgenergy.-,stoltge portions and .produce al localized component ,of vaporelectric discharge 1 current having a duration corresponding; .to the;- discharge. timev` ofsthe aforesaid lone ..energy,-.s torage portion The spacing 4, of .,the: electrode.l systems along the route mentioned..above ...isnselected with lreference to the capacitancezof the energy-storage..- portions andthe ch-aracteristicswof each .ipath so thatfthe dschargeof.- any. eilt-he.A `erierav--storage portions .thr,ough..its.` path ionizesfrthe dischargingypath for the next- :succeeding .energysstorage .-portion, thereby, tov produce a y,similanlocalized .confinonent 4of .vapor-.electric -;.-.discharge current1 4.and propagate a. traveling-wavelet,currentalong the aforesaid route.

. For a; better.. understanding fof .the presentinvention,..together withcthenandffurther .objects thereof,. .referenced-is- ..had.-..to. ther following gdescription .taken in;.,oonnection -.-.w..ith .thee accompanying drawnzand its scope fwillloe pointed out in the .appended claims.

v`In-.the drawing, Eig. l-f-.is-faflschematicrepresentation vvof a.; traV-.elingrw vte, cur-rent.; generator embodying the'invention; li gs;..2xand 3..include graphs utilized in .explaining theoperation of ,the .embodimentofliig 1;; Eiga-.#1 represents. aI gen- ,eratcr of..the .type. of.. Figi 1. .,having; a -modied construction awhile,l :Fist l5 isti-ai schematic `circuit diagram which is the appnoxi-mate.. electrical equivalentof one component.. of .the :generator of Fig.'- 4.

.-Referring; now; morefparticularly to `,the drawing,there.is represented gin. `ligll lan arrangement .embodying.,the...inventionifor igenerating a traveling...wave .of vapor-.electric discharge -current. ;'Ilhe., `arrangernent 4o oI,1r,li .1ises energy-.storage means,..zincludi-ng .za plurality offfenergystorage devices, Afthe sisuccessive q discharge of Whichggives; frisectdla. gtr-ayeling-.-imavecof':wipertube includes an anode structure comprising a plurality of anode elements -29, inclusive,

corresponding in number to thenumbervof .con-

densers and closely spaced along a predetermined route. In the embodiment under consideration wherein the tube'is a straight structure, these anode elements are spaced along a linear path. A single elongated cathode structure is included in the tube, being spaced from and providing with the several anode elements, a like plurality of spaced vaporor glow-discharge paths. A plurality of intermediate or sampling electrodes 3I-40, inclusive, are arranged with one such electrode in each of the several discharge paths provided by the spaced anode elements and the common cathode, these intermediate electrodes constituting means responsive to a traveling wave in the tube for deriving a control eiect. Each such electrode is grounded through one of resistors 4|-50, thereby to be included in circuit with the common cathode which is likewise Vgrounded by-way of a cathode impedance 5|. Output terminals lV-55', inclusive, are connected to the high potential terminals of the correspondingly designated resistors in order to couple a utilizing circuit to the tube to be controlled by the control eiects developed in a manner to be made clear hereinafter.

The several series of electrodes 20-29, inclusive, 3I-48, inclusive, as I well as the unitary cathode 30 are enclosed within a single glass envelope 54. vAn ionizable gas, such as xenon or argon, is also housed within the envelopekso that the electrode system is in `a gaseous atmosphere of lany suitable composition and at a conventional pressure. -A series Vofindu'ctors 60-69, in-

cluding anode element 2D and the common cathode 30, constitutes triggering means for initiating a discharge'between vthis anode element 2) and the cathode structure to discharge the associated condenser I0. The igniter 52 may be rendered eiectiveby way of triggering pulses or signals of positive polarity applied to a synchronizing terminal 53.

In considering the operation of the described arrangement, it will be assumed initially that no discharge is taking place within the gas tube 54. In this quiescent condition, the series of condensers |0|9, inclusive, charge simultaneously from the common Apotential source -l-B, the charging current ofeach condenserv being limited by its series-arranged charging resistor. At the end of the charging interval, all ofl the condensers are charged :to a'posit'ive potential. The

value of the source +B is chosen so that the potential of any condenser in this charged condition is insuflicient to initiate a glow discharge anywhere along the tube 54. The potential source is also selected of a sufliciently high value that the condensers are capable of maintaining a discharge within the tube, once the discharge is initiated, until the condensers become discharged.

Let it be assumed, now, that the condensers have all received a full charge and that a triggering pulse, represented by curve A of Fig. 2, is applied to synchronizing terminal 53. The triggering pulse is of positive polarity and provokes a discharge between the igniter electrode 52 and the common cathode structure 30. This discharge ionizes the gaseous atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the igniter and produces ionization within the discharge path between anode element 20 and the common cathode. This latter ionization enables the discharge to spread to anode element 20 in the manner of conventional gas tubes utilizing an igniter electrode. The variation of igniter current, as the discharge is taken over by anode Eil, is indicated by curve B. The-occurrence of a discharge between this anode element and the common cathode completes the resonant discharge path for condenser IE! through the inductor 60 and produces a component of vapor-electric or glowdischarge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of the condenser. Neglecting for the moment the eect of the discharge of condenser l0 on the neighboring anode elements of tube 54, its discharge current is represented by curve C. The corresponding voltage variation experienced by anode element 20 is shown by curve -D. Thus,fit is apparent that after a time delay At following the application of the triggering pulse of curve A, condenser I0 starts to discharge. The time delay Art represents the delay in the transfer of the initial glow discharge from igniter electrode 52 to the anode element 20. The discharge time of the condenser is designated by the time interval t1. It is approximately equal to one-half the period of the series-resonant discharge circuit comprising this condenser, its discharge inductor 60, and the resistor 5| because at'the end of that time, the potential of anode element 2U is reduced to an insuiiicient value to sustain ionization. During the conductive interval t1, a low impedance path is established between the intermediate electrode 3| and the cathode 30, bringing the potential of resistork 4| to that of the cathode. In this manner, a control potential is presented at the output terminal 4| for the duration of the discharge time t1 of condenser lll and this potential may be utilized to perform the first step of the commutating process controlled by the arrangement under consideration.

The complete commutating process may be understood when the eiect o f the aforedescribed discharge of condenser I0 upon its neighboring discharge paths is taken into account. The discharge of this condenser produces an appreciable'ionization in the immediate neighborhood of anode element 2B. The degree of ionization is determined, among other factors, by the characteristics of the discharge path, such as: (l) the duration of the condenser discharge time ti; (2) vthe magnitude of the discharge current; and (3) the composition and pressure of the gas included Withintube 54. The duration of the discharge, as mentioned in the precedingk parais at aislow rate.

attacca graphs, may be controlled by-v a'ppropriatelyi iselecting--the series-resonant frequency Aof 'Ithe condenser discharge circuit and the magnitude of 'thedischarge current is dependent-upon the impedance of the dischargepath-aswell as the initial potential of the condenser I0. The spacing of -the several discharge paths along thertube is selected with reference to the capacity of the condensers and theV characteristics of each path so that the discharge -of any one condenser through-its path ionizes the discharge path for the lnext succeeding condenser. In other words, the Aspacing of the anodes '2U-29, inclusive, is selected so that the-discharge of condenser l0 ionizes the discharge path for condenser Il which, in turn, discharges and ionizes thedischarge path for condenser I2 etc. In this'fashion, lthe eiect of a triggering pulse appliedV to terminal 53 is to initiate a traveling wave of current that starts-with the discharge of the ir'stv` condenser I and is propagated along the tube by the successive discharging of lthe -remaining condensers. AThis phenomenon is represented by the `curves of Fig. 3 which indicate the time relation-of the discharge current for four of the condensers. Each has the same discharge :time t1 and there is a delay At corresponding to the time required for the discharge of 'any one vcondenser to ionize and complete a discharge path for the next succeeding one. The discharge of any condenser produces a control potential at the associated output terminal so that for the arrangement illustrated and described the terminals H2502 inclusive, successively present control potentials capable of 'eie'cting a commutation.

As already mentioned, the complete discharge of-any'of the condensers Iii-"|53, inclusive, extinguishes the glow discharge from the particular anode element associated therewith. While some ionization continues to be associated with al given anode element following the extinction of the glow discharge thereto, the charging resistors IBL-I9', inclusive, are selectedof large values so that the recharging of any condenser This permits deicnization to be accomplished within the tuberi/l to restore the-arrangement to its quiescent'condition. After the first condenser vIl) has been discharged and has received its subsequent charge from the sources-B, a second triggering-signal may be applied to terminal 53 to repeat the commutating cycle just described. O1" course, where the tube is exceedingly long, the leading condenser l! il may well have been completely recharged before -the last condenser i9 has been discharged. In such afc'ase, the control potential developed at resistor may be employed to trigger the tube again, thereby to maintain continuous operation. Also, witha long tube several waves of discharge 'current may traverse the tube simultaneously "and independently.

The arrangement of Fig. 1 constitutes a flexiblecrnmutating system.v Since the glowl discharge' advances in step-by-step vfashion along the tube, spreadingfrom first one electrode toits neighbor on the right, a combination of output terminals may be selected to provide a convenient commutating program. All output terminals maybe used to give a'successionI of commutating steps with approximately equal-time separations or some may be omitted to varythis commutating sequence. `It will also be Aapparent that only one output terminal may be 'employed where -it-is desired .tof effect the timing of4 some o'pe'ration 'considered as an elongated condenser.

with-11a'44 predetermined delay fiwith `4r'espect `to la triggering' signal .applied to terminal 53. Additionallyl, theign-iter A52 shown at the leading edge of ithe anode -structure --may be variously lpositioned within the tube. -Where it is located centrally of the tube, the glow discharge current-may advance in two opposed paths Veiectively producing two .traveling waves of current.

Itis not necessary that the 4glow-discharge tube have discrete, .spaced anode elements. It may be convenient in some applications of the invention to utilize the modication of Fig. v4 wherein the energy-storage device and the anode structure constitute one structural member. As represented, this member is circular in cross sectionand has an outer conductor surface 8i!V of resistive'material, an intermediate layer 8l ofna suitable dielectric, and an inner or nested conductiven element 82. The dielectric material 8| insu-lates butY electrically couples conductivel surfacessi!V and 82 to one another throughouttheir lengths so that thestructure -8|82 maybe The inner element S2 is grounded at one or moreY points in the manner shown by the connection 83. The source of unidirectional potential +B is connected through a common charging resistor 84 to the outer conductive surface 8G. This outer surface also serves as the anode structure of the gaseous discharge tube. The remaining electrode elements of this tube as well as the circuit connections to the intermediate electrodes, the common cathode, and the yigniter are the same as thosevof Fig. l and-are vdesignated by similar reference characters.

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the electrical equivalent of the unitary structure 8-8l-32 serving both as the energy-storage mea-ns and the anodestructure. It is represented as effectively having a plurality olf-elemental condensers 85, 85 corresponding to the distributed capacitance between the conductive surfaces. One electrode of each condenser is connected to a common ground and the other electrode.v is connected with the charging surface +B through the resistor 84 as well as a series of .resistors 8S, 36. vThe latter designate the distributed resistance along conductive surface 89. This same surface. 80 simulates a like plurality of elemental anodes 81, 8l, Where each elemental anode is .considered to be the portion of conductive surface 80 represented by the high potential electrodeof each elemental condenser 35, S5. The operation of a generator of the type represented in Fig.` 4 in producing a traveling wave of glow-discharge current is generally similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1. Resvonant discharging of the condensers B5, 85 may be obtained by using the inherent distributed inductance of the condenser discharge circuits. It will be understood that the construction of Fig. 4 featuring'distributed capacitance is not limited to the use of a Structure 80-8 I-82 of circular' cross section. Itis only necessary thatthis component effectively provide the distributed capacitance as Well as the anode surface and its cross section may take any of a variety of forms. Further, the condensers I 0| 9 of Fig. l and condensers 85,85 of Fig. 4 may, if desired, be arranged to return to the cathode 3G instead of to ground as illustrated. y

While there have been described what are at present lconsidered to be the preferred embodimentsof this invention, it will be-obvious to those skilledin the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the invention, and itis, therefore, aimed vin the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. An arrangement for generating a traveling Wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: energy-storage means having a plurality of energy-storage portions to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said portions and including anode means comprising a corresponding plurality of anode portions spaced along a predetermined route and including cathode means providing a like plurality of cathode portions spaced from and defining with said anode portions a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said energy-storage portions and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one energy-storage portion; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacitance of said energystorage portions and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said energystorage portions through its path ionizes the discharging path for the next succeeding energystorage portion, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling Wave of current along said route.

2. An arrangement for generating a traveling wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: a plurality of energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode' structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a cathode structure effectively providing a like plurality of cathode elements spaced from and defining with said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and means for initiating a vaporelectric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing. of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling wave of current along said route.

3. An arrangement for generating a traveling wave of vapor-electric discharge currentcom-V prising: energy-storage means including a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including a corresponding plurality of anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a cathode structure eiectively providing a like plurality of cathode elements spaced from and defining with said anodes a like pluralityV of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling waverof current along said route.

4. An arrangement for generating a traveling wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: energy-storage means eiectively including a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced alongY a predetermined route, and including a single elongated cathode structure spaced from and providing with said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling wave of current along said route.

5. An arrangement for generating a traveling Wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: energy-storage means effectively including a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a linear route, and including a single elongated cathodey structure spaced from and providing with said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and triggering means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in an end one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storagedevice,-thereb-y to-produce a similar localized 'componentv ofvapor-electric discharge. current andpropagate atraveling-wave of current. along said route.

6. An arrangement for Igenerating a traveling, Wave of' vapor-electric dischargev current .comprising: energy-storage. means effectively including a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a cathode structure effectively providing a like plurality of cathode elements spaced from and dening with said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path 'so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized vcomponent of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling Wave of current along said route; and means, comprising a sampling electrode positioned in the space between one of said elemental anodes and said cathode structure, responsive to said traveling wave for deriving a control effect for utilization.

7. An arrangement for generating a traveling Wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: energy-storage means effectively including a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; Vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a cathode structure effectively providing a like plurality of cathode elements spaced from and dening With said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; a plurality of sampling electrodes arranged with one in each of said electrode systems; means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vaporelectric discharge current and propagate a traveling wave of current along said route; and a plurality of output terminals individually coupled to said sampling electrodes and individually effective to present a Control potential during 10i any operatingminterval Vin-vvhichthe sampling electrode4 associatedftherevyithis Within a vaporelectric discharge.

I8. An arrangement. for lgeneratinga. traveling wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprisingz. energy-storage means..eifectivelyfinclum ingra plurality .of elementalA energy-storage devices .to becharged. from aipotential source;A vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including an anode structure, effectively comprising a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a cathode structure eiectively providing a like plurality of cathode elements spaced from and defining with said anodes a like plurality of spaced electrode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; a plurality of inductors serially connected with said storage devices in said discharge paths so that a resonant discharge circuit is associated with each of said storage devices; and means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected With reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling wave of current along said route.

9. An arrangement for generating a traveling wave of vapor-electric discharge current comprising: energy-storage means including a pair of nested and insulated elongated conductive elements having distributed capacitance therebetween effectively to comprise a plurality of elemental energy-storage devices to be charged from a potential source; vapor-electric discharge means for discharging said storage devices including the outer one of said conductive surfaces as an anode structure, simulating a corresponding plurality of elemental anodes spaced along a predetermined route, and including a single elongated cathode structure spaced from and providing With said anodes a like plurality of spaced ele-trode systems constituting vapor-discharge paths extending across said route; and means for initiating a vapor-electric discharge in one of said electrode systems to discharge the associated one of said storage devices and produce a localized component of vapor-electric discharge current having a duration corresponding to the discharge time of said one storage device; the spacing of said electrode systems along said route being selected with reference to the capacity of said storage devices and the characteristics of each path so that the discharge of any of said devices through its path ionizes the discharge path for the next succeeding storage device, thereby to produce a similar localized component of vapor-electric discharge current and propagate a traveling Wave of current along said route.

ARTHURy V. LOUGHREN.

(References on following page) l1 REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the file ofrth1s patent: 4271533 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Number Name Date 1,879,688 Jenkins sept. 27, 1932 Number 1,958,289 Found et a1. May 8, 1984 43,456

Name Date w Senauke Dec. 21, 1937 Spencer .May 15, 1945 Overbeek Sept. 16, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 29, 1937 (2d addition to No. 819,199) 

